At the end of July, the Indianapolis Colts valued Peyton Manning’s on-field services at $18 million per year when they gave the Pro Bowl quarterback a five-year, $90 million contract extension.

The betting public has little faith in a Manning-less Colts team.

And with Monday’s report that Manning is expected to miss the season-opener against the Houston Texans, we now know that the future Hall of Famer’s value in regards to the Las Vegas point spread is worth approximately eight points.

Listed as a one-point underdog by Cantor Gaming back in June, the Colts are now posted as high as +9 for Sunday’s Week 1 showdown at Houston as bettors have been piling on the Texans in anticipation of Manning’s absence. The 35-year-old signal-caller underwent neck surgery during the offseason, but reports emerged on Monday that he wasn’t healing quickly enough to be ready in time for Sunday’s divisional showdown.

In addition to the Week 1 lines, Manning’s status has also affected NFL futures wagering. Mike Pierce of Sportsbook.com told the National Football Post that their website has temporarily suspended markets on the Colts season wins (10, -150 under, +130 over) and odds to win the AFC South (even money), until they hear what doctors have to say about the situation.

According to PreGame.com’s “Sportsbook Spy,” 68% of the public is currently backing the Texans and possibly for good reason. Manning is 16-2 against Houston during his career with a QB rating of 110.6.

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